Worrying about money is the kind of worry that can pop up at any time of day, and it can keep you awake long into the night. Right now, there cannot be many people out there who are not dealing with their own financial issues. Costs are going up everywhere we look. Food prices are making the news, energy bills are soaring, and it seems like there is never going to be any kind of decisive help from the government. It is an overwhelming time to be sure.
However, it is important to remember that there are always going to be practical things that you can do to make things easier for yourself and for your family. There are always going to be some ways that you can reduce your regular costs, find some extra savings, and make a little extra money. If you are feeling concerned about how you are going to manage your money in the months ahead, here are a few tips to help you save and earn a little more.
Look Into Freelancing
These days, everyone knows someone who does a bit of freelancing in their spare time. If you have never tried it before, it may surprise you to learn both how easy it can be, and how in demand some of your skills may be. However, this is something that you will want to research carefully before you jump in. It is worth talking to anyone that you know who already freelances to get some basic tips, especially if they work in the same area. Check to find out what your tax responsibilities are going to be if you start taking on freelance work, as you may be required to pay more. Take some time to research the market to find out what people with your skills are charging.
Then, work on creating a profile for yourself. Put together a portfolio of your work that you can send out to potential clients, and do not be afraid to ask people in your professional network to ask for feedback. It is important to note that you are going to have to push hard to get work, as the competition will be fierce. You are going to have to put yourself out there on social media, and you are going to have to get used to sending unsolicited emails and chasing people up when they do not reply.
Think About Your Transport
If you drive, it will not have escaped your attention that petrol prices are going up and up right now. You will also remember how shortages caused a huge amount of chaos back in 2021. The situation ended up being resolved, but it is not something that is going to be forgotten any time soon. If you are looking for ways to keep your costs down, and a way to minimise any potential disruption, then you might want to think about cutting back on the amount that you use your car.
If you are a two-car household, could you get away with only having one car? If you use your car to commute to work, could you save money by taking public transport or walking? You might also want to ask your colleagues if anyone would be interested in setting up a rideshare to help to spread the cost of petrol. One of the major concerns for people using public transport over the last several months has been the rash of delays and strikes. If you are delayed, then make sure to check whether you can claim compensation as a result.
Try To Consolidate Your Debts
Debts can spiral out of control so quickly. Even if you are not currently living with a huge amount of debt, small repayments really start to add up when they are coming out every single month. It can be tough to keep track of them all too, and that is how you can start to fall behind. It is also a fact that different debts have different interest rates, and those figures can eat into any money that you are bringing in.
A lot of people find that consolidating their debts is a helpful way to feel more in control of the money that they owe, of paying off those high interest loans more quickly, and of making sure that they do not miss any repayments. Taking out a short term loan is one of the most popular ways for people to consolidate their debts, allowing them to deal with one repayment instead of several. It is always important to look for the best deal for you when it comes to short term loans. Sunny can help you to find fast and flexible short term loans and their search does not impact your credit score.
Think About Part-Time Work
If you are finding that you are simply unable to bring enough money in to keep your household afloat, then it may be time to think about whether you can add a part-time job for either you or your partner. It is worth noting that this is hardly the ideal situation, but there are jobs out there which are flexible, and which are being used by a lot of people in the UK to bolster their income.
Could you use your car to work for a ride or delivery service? Do you have experience in areas that could use some extra support? If you like the idea of freelancing but want the added security of knowing that you have a contract and knowing when your hours are going to be, part time work could be the way to go. Just make sure that you are going to be able to handle your other responsibilities as well, as it can be easy to burn out and start missing things when you are juggling more than one job. Remember that if you are not able to take care of yourself, then you will not be able to take care of anyone else.
Get Smarter With Your Meals
One of the biggest problems that a lot of people have is that they feel like they do not have time to do their own cooking, but takeaways and ready meals can be very expensive, particularly if you start to rely on them. Planning your meals is not only a great way to ensure that you and your family are eating healthily, but also of keeping your household spending down.
Set aside some time to make a meal plan for the week going forward. Find recipes that you enjoy cooking, and which will either freeze or keep for a day or two. Then, make a shopping list before you head to the supermarket. This will help you to avoid splashing out on any expensive impulse purchases. It is also a good idea to sign up to supermarket’s loyalty schemes. As food prices go up and up, many of the best savings and offers that you are going to find will be for their registered customers. Try to buy the store’s own brand where you can, and make sure that you check that so-called special offers are actually a good deal.
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